Queen for Night to be named Saturday

Thursday

Feb 18, 2010 at 12:01 AM

By CHRISTINE L. PRATT

Staff Writer

There were nine candidates, one has been selected, but until Saturday, the identity of the Queen for the Night will remain a mystery.

For the past year, The Jewelry Store's Mary Miller, has served as the inaugural and honorary Queen for the Night of Girls' Night Out in Historic Downtown Millersburg. Miller was one of the founders of Girls Night Out. At a special ceremony at the Hotel Millersburg, at 3 p.m. Saturday, she will hand over the royal crown to her successor.

Of course her replacement will not be completely anonymous to her, although Miller said, she is unaware of who the selection committee chose. She was one of several to review all nine nomination forms and returned three recommendations.

"It was very interesting," she said of the process. "Everybody had something different to say. Only one (nominee) was a business person. The others were people who just had done wonderful things. I think its great," she said, noting she was impressed by the varied responses returned in just the first year and is hopeful the nominations will continue to become more varied as the tradition continues.

Applications for the honor were solicited by HDM as an opportunity to honor great women in the community.

"Queen nominees should be everyday heroes that are appreciated but deserve to be treated as a queen, even if for just one night. The judges will be looking for a woman who has a fun and energetic personality, is compassionate and caring, and who has a dedication to both family and community. The contest is open to the public. Nominees do not have to be from the Millersburg area," according to the HDM call for applicants.

Nominees varied in age and for a variety of reasons, but "all are "very active in the community in some way," said Danielle Olney, HDM promotions manager, noting even one younger girl was nominated by her mother.

Olney, HDM Manager Tom Wilke, Miller and other members of the promotions committee reviewed the nominations which, Olney summarized, "I think from everyone they were just looking to honor someone who had just made a difference in their life in some way.

In addition to crowning the new queen, a proclamation honoring her will be read and she will be presented with a bevy of gifts from all the downtown merchants.

While quite an honor, Miller said, "There isn't a lot to do (being queen). You just go about your business, and try to be nice and kind to people."

To her successor, she will advise "enjoy the evening, make it fun, take it as a compliment. It's a good feeling and an honor."

Of the event itself, she said, "All the people coming in and having fun ... it's surprising every year, the amount you have. It's such a fun night. You enjoy every minute of it. I think it will be good this year. The colder the night, the better it makes it.

"You go into each store, and there's something different. I went into each store last year."

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at 330-674-1811 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.